Youth and Young Adult Grant Applications Now Available

by Andy Hill, Director of Finance and Property

The Grants Committee is pleased to announce that we are currently receiving applications for Youth & Young Adult Grants. The application form is now a fillable .pdf file that can be completed without printing and scanning. (If you are unable to complete the online application, please send a request to grants@atlpcusa.org and a text copy of the application will be sent to you.)

The application, which is available here, is due by 12am on Monday, April 22. The committee will meet soon after that date to review grant submissions.

We look forward to learning about the innovative and life-changing ministries taking place in our midst.

Caring for Your Aging Parents Workshop - Free In-Person and Zoom Event
Presented by Northwest Presbyterian Church
4300 Northside Drive Northwest Atlanta, GA 30327

Join us for an informative workshop where we'll discuss how to care for your aging parents. Whether you're just starting to navigate this journey or have been doing it for a while, this workshop is for you. Our expert speakers will share valuable tips and insights on various aspects of caregiving such as:

• When and how should adult children intervene in an aging parent's life regarding
  health decisions?

• How should the question of driving be handled?

• How can I determine whether a parent needs to move to an assisted living
  facility?

• How do I best care for a parent who has dementia?

• When and how do I get a Power of Attorney document?

• How can I share the caring responsibilities with siblings?

• And, what about all of those financial questions?

Hosted at the Northwest Presbyterian Church, this event will take place both in-person and via Zoom. Those attending in person will receive specific information related to caring for aging parents in Georgia.

Learn More and Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caring-for-your-aging-parents-workshop-tickets-840806985327?aff=oddtdtcreator

In Their Shoes: 10 Mile Challenge is a four week fundraising event benefiting Central Outreach and Advocacy Center (COAC). Participants of all ages, stages and skill levels commit to walk a total of 10 miles at their own pace between March 24 and April 21 while reflecting on the distance people experiencing homelessness walk each day. On April 21, we will gather together at Central Presbyterian to walk the last mile together. All proceeds benefit the COAC. If you would like to participate and/or make a donation, you can find more information here.

Installation of Lyndsay Slocum

Thursday, April 18 at 6:30 PM (ET)
Kairos Presbyterian Church
5855 Riverside Dr
Sandy Springs, GA 30327

Join us as we celebrate the Installation of Lyndsay Slocum as pastor of Kairos Presbyterian Church. The service will be held at Kairos Presbyterian Church on Thursday, April 18 at 6:30 PM.

An offering is to be received to benefit the Emergency Fund for Pastors.

75th Annual Come See Columbia Day

April 18, 2024

Come See Columbia Day is a day for Presbyterian Women (and their friends) to come meet the Columbia Friendship Circle Scholarship recipient and see what classes and campus life are like at Columbia. This year, there will be a tour of Mission Haven offered as well.

To register, please visit https://www.ctsnet.edu/events/come-see-columbia-day/ or contact Maggie Andrews (andrewsm@ctsnet.edu - 404-687-4623)

Promotional Materials:

• Flyer 1

• Flyer 2

This past January, the Outlook published a magazine dedicated to small church vitality. Within days, our extra copies of the magazine sold out and articles from the issue, such as “The future of the PC(USA) is pastor-less, and that’s ok”by Catherine Neelly Burton, went viral. 

Join us for a webinar to continue the conversation our “Small is beautiful” issue started.

On April 16, Outlook Editor/Publisher Teri McDowell Ott will convene a panel of voices from our January issue including Catherine Neelly Burton, Warren Lesane, Shavon Starling-Louis, and Philip Blackburn.

The panel will discuss some of the troubles facing small churches, the strengths of these worshipping communities, and practical examples of small churches thinking in creative ways to continue their ministry. This conversation will be followed by a Q&A with audience members.

MDM is collecting Welcome Kits for newly arriving refugee families. Welcome Kits make such a big and immediate difference for these newest arrivals to GA, and MDM would love to raise over 1,000 welcome kits through this effort!

Step 1: Purchase towel, wash cloth, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream, disposable razors, toilet paper (at least 4 rolls), & bath soap.

Step 2: Assemble these into a container (either bag or box).

Step 3: Deliver to Memorial Drive Ministries - 5140 Memorial Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 - on Sunday April 14 between 2pm – 4pm.

The above delivery window is when the Welcome Co-Op truck will be available onsite at MDM to directly receive these items. MDM is not able to accept donations early or late.

Thank you!

Faith, Civic Life, and Media: Information Skills for Community Leaders
Presented by The Carter Center and Pitts Theological Library

Pitts Theology Library and The Carter Center have created a workshop on media literacy for faith and civic leaders. The goal of this workshop is to provide clergy, seminarians, and other community leaders with the skills to speak across difference, learn how social and traditional media reinforce stereotypes, and understand why meaningful conversations on tough topics can be so challenging. 

The workshop will be on Zoom on April 13 from 10–1 with a lunch break. 

The workshop comes from a media literacy pilot program The Carter Center is operating as part of their Democracy Program. It has been used at GATech, Syracuse, Air Force Academy, and a variety of civic organizations. They are developing a version of the program specifically for faith leaders and congregations. 

This event is free and open to the public. 

More information and registration are available at pitts.tl/civiclife.

Clerk of Session Training

Clerks of session are invited to attend a training session on Tuesday, April 9, at 7:00pm. Join your colleagues from around the presbytery to learn about this important work of keeping records, organizing the work of a session, and reporting the actions of the local church to the presbytery and beyond. A recording will be available if you are unable to attend. Register at the link below! Contact Stated Clerk Andy James at cajames@atlpcusa.org for additional information.

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMuc-Gtpj4sHtC4hXCiSuED6HkwnoBvDSu1

Installation of Claude George Tatro

Sunday, April 7 at 3:00pm. (ET)
Johns Creek Presbyterian Church
10950 Bell Rd
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Join us as we celebrate the Installation of Claude George Tatro at Johns Creek Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 7 at 3:00pm.

An offering is to be received to benefit the Emergency Fund for Pastors.

One Great Hour of Sharing
February 14 - March 31, 2024

Typically received during the season of Lent, each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing supports efforts to relieve hunger through the Presbyterian Hunger Program, promote development through the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, and assist in areas of disaster through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Information/Resources: https://specialofferings.pcusa.org/offering/oghs/

Inauguration of Dr. Jacob D. Myers as the Wade P. Huie, Jr. Associate Professor of Homiletics

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 4:00-5:30pm
Harrington Chapel, Columbia Theological Seminary
701 S. Columbia Drive
Decatur, GA 30030

On Wednesday, March 20 from 4:00-5:30pm, Dr. Jacob D. Myers will be inaugurated as the Wade P. Huie, Jr. Associate Professor of Homiletics. The inauguration will take place at the Harrington Chapel on the campus of Columbia Theological Seminary.

RSVP by March 11, 2024 to Karen Wishart-Christian, wishart-christiank@ctsnet.edu

Additional Information: https://www.ctsnet.edu/academics/myers-inauguration/

PGA Partnership Gathering

The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta will host a gathering of all PGA Partnerships to celebrate their ministry and hear about collaborative opportunities for congregations on March 20, 2024, at the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta office.

For more information about PGA Partnerships, contact Council Partnership Liaison, Rev. Beverly Markham beverly@alpharettapres.com or PGA Congregational Consultant, Cassandra Morrow cmorrow@atlpcusa.org.

Access partnership information at www.atlpcusa.org/partnerships

Installation of Grace Rohrer

Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 2:00pm (ET)
Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church
3700 Pleasant Hill Rd, Duluth, GA 30096

Join us as we celebrate the Installation of Grace Rohrer as pastor at Atlanta Taiwanese Presbyterian Church. The service will take place at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 2:00pm (ET)

An offering is to be received to benefit the Emergency Fund for Pastors.

Since 1984 (40 Years!), the Hunger Walk/Run has been an annual 5K/“fun run” of The Atlanta Community Food Bank and its partners. Proceeds benefit the ACFB and other local nonprofits, programs, and ministries focused on hunger relief. These benefiting partner organizations help recruit participants and receive a percentage of the funds raised to support their direct hunger relief programs.

As a benefiting partner, the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta keeps 60% of the funds we raise as a presbytery, which supports our Diaconal Grants program. All Presbytery of Greater Atlanta churches are eligible to apply for a Diaconal Grant to support hunger initiatives within their congregation. The remaining 40% that we raise goes to the Atlanta Community Food Bank where - among many other outstanding results - they leverage every $1 into $9 worth of groceries for hunger relief (enough for 4 meals!).

How it Works:

1.   Register as part of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta (link below). If you do not register as part of the presbytery, funds raised do not contribute to the presbytery’s grant fund.

2.   Start a Team, Join a Team, Reactivate a Team, Register as an Individual, and/or Donate toward a team/individual’s goal. Your team may be called the “{Church Name} Team” or you can get creative! Churches may have multiple teams. Have fun!

3.   If you register as a team, your Team Captain will need to register first to Start/Reactivate the Team. Then, additional team members may Join the Team.

4.   Leading up to the Walk/Run, invite people to donate toward your team or individual goal.

5.   Return to the link below to track team/individual progress and monitor the presbytery’s collective fundraising toward hunger relief.

Questions? Contact Destiny Williams - destiny@mcdonoughpresbyterian.com

Link to register, donate, track donations, etc: http://engage.acfb.org/site/TR?fr_id=2147&pg=entry

North Avenue Presbyterian Church, in collaboration with Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, extends an invitation for you to participate in a transformative exploration of the Black Church.

Join us for a three-part series titled "The Black Church - What She Can Teach Us Today," where we delve into the profound musical contributions and insightful interpretations of the Word emanating from the Black Church. This series offers a unique opportunity to learn from the significant social and cultural impact the Black Church has had on shaping our identity as children of God.

The Black Church: What She Can Teach Us Today
Lunch and Learn: Good Food, Transformational Experience, Rich Discussion
Sundays, February 11, 18. 25, 12:30pm - 2:30pm. $15 Registration includes lunch.
Venue: North Avenue Presbyterian Church, 607 Peachtree St NE. Atlanta GA 30308
For more information and registration: https://www.napc.org/Special-Events

• February 11 - Registration closes February 7

• February 18 - Registration closes February 14

• February 25 - Registration closes February 21

For more information/bios of presenters: Press Release

For any questions regarding the series please email Jane Hubbard at jmhhubbard@gmail.com

Ordination of Donghyun Jeong

Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 12:10 P.M. (ET)
Shelton Chapel at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
100 E 27th St
Austin, TX 78705

Join us as we celebrate the Ordination of Donghyun Jeong. The service will take place at Shelton Chapel, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 12:10 P.M. (ET).

Livestream Link:
https://www.austinseminary.edu/resources/livestream-from-austin-seminary

2024 Voter Education, Information, and Outreach Event
Elder Shirley Wright-Davis (Trinity PC Decatur) and Cassandra Morrow, Congregational Consultant

The members of the Black Church Collective Mission Team of the Presbytery of  Greater Atlanta hosts a non-partisan Voter Education, Information, and Outreach Event in 2024.  Please join us at Radcliffe Presbyterian Church, 286 Hamilton E Holmes Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 11am.

Voter education is the act of providing voters with basic information about the voting process and elections.  Our primary goal is provide non-partisan voter education materials that cover the essential things every voter needs to know, for example: registering to vote, checking or updating voter registration, change in precinct or redistricting, when and where to vote, sample ballots, and accessibility. 

You will learn about the basics of a primary election vs. a presidential election and much more. There will be a bus with voting machines that you can practice on. Finally, there will be areas to register to vote in 2024, as well as applications for the Poll Worker position.   Make your vote matter in 2024 by learning about this very important process.

Come and be prepared to vote in 2024!

Presbyterians for a Better Georgia and Vulnerable Georgians Need Your Voice

By Rev. David Lewicki, Pastor, North Decatur Presbyterian Church

This year’s Georgia General Assembly is a very important session because the state has the largest ever ($16 Billion) surplus of state funds that should be used to expand access to healthcare, mental healthcare, affordable housing, and other critical programs to help vulnerable Georgians.  Presbyterians for a Better Georgia (PBG) needs the voices of people of faith like you that:

• Oppose cuts to the state low-income housing tax credit that supports construction and preservation of affordable housing;

• Support passage of the Safe at Home Act (HB 404) that provides essential protections for renters facing sudden eviction; and

• Advocate for increased funding for housing and mental health supports for unsheltered Georgians.

Please join us for on-line training, then come to Central Presbyterian Church (CPC) to walk across the street to the State Capitol and engage the people who represent you:

• PBG Advocacy Training (Zoom) 7pm February 6, 2024

• PBG Lobby Day - Central Presbyterian Church March 5, 2024

• Georgia ACT Housing Day - CPC March 13, 2024 

To learn more, go to the PBG website P4BG.org or email Al Stacer, PBG Chair at info@p4bg.com

To register for Advocacy Training, go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfggGEGZrwGRgecUWKQJiwo6O3FjE0dgaM34pSik_u7FPUFvQ/viewform

THE NANCY FRAMPTON RISING ARTISTS SERIES:

SPELMAN COLLEGE GLEE CLUB BENEFIT CONCERT

Saturday, February 3, 7:00 p.m., MPC Sanctuary 1411 N. Morningside Drive NE, Atlanta

Morningside Presbyterian Church hosts the Spelman College Glee Club in concert, benefiting the Nancy Frampton Rising Artist Series of MPC. The Glee Club is Spelman College's premier performance organization and kicks off the 2024 season of the artist concert series. Tickets are $40 and benefit the concert series supporting esteemed rising artists. Click here to purchase tickets.

The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta holds quarterly Stated Meetings to conduct business and join in worship together.

For more information about Stated Meetings (including links to registration, submit absence requests, download the current Commissioner Handbook, etc.), click the button below.

Some items, such as the Commissioner Handbook, registration link, etc., will be made available a couple of weeks prior to each event.

2024 Officer Training

“The Foundations of Being a Church Officer”
Presbytery of Greater Atlanta
Elder and Deacon Training
January 20, 2024, 10:00 – 11:30
Zoom Only

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, January 16, 2024

This training will lay the groundwork for serving as a ruling elder or deacon.

Join us for an introduction to serving the church in this way as part of your preparation for this important ministry in your congregation.

Training presenters:

• Rev. Katie Aumann, Morningside PC

• Elder Ken Whitehurst, Trinity Decatur PC

• Elder Paula Coleman, Radcliffe PC

Click HERE to view the flyer and learn more about the presenters.

“We encourage Ruling Elders and Deacons to live into their unique gifts and to serve God and the people wholeheartedly, as one of the constitutional questions states, with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.”

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, January 16 

Registration Options:

• Ruling Elder Registration

• Deacon Registration

Ordination of Kevin Lacson at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Atlanta

Sunday, January 7, 2:00 PM (ET)
Trinity Presbyterian Church
3003 Howell Mill Rd
Atlanta, GA 30327

Join us as we celebrate the Ordination of Kevin Lacson. The service will take place at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta on Sunday, January 7, 2:00 PM (ET).

Retiree Christmas Luncheon

Monday, December 4, 2023 at 12 PM

All retired Pastors, Christian Educators, and Validated Ministers will receive an invitation with more details and registration within the first week in November.

Registration is extended to close on November 26th at 11:55pm.

Location:
Presbyterian Village
2000 E West Connector
Austell, GA 30106
When you arrive at Presbyterian Village, follow signs saying “Event” to the location of the lunch.

Transportation:
Bus transportation will be provided by Presbyterian Village from Trinity PC in Atlanta.
If you prefer to ride the bus from Trinity PC Atlanta, please designate when you register.
 “Presbyterian Village” Bus
Trinity Presbyterian Church
3003 Howell Mill Road
Atlanta, Ga
Meet the parking lot in front of the sanctuary
Leave the Trinity parking lot at 11 am
Return from Presbyterian Village leaving around 1:45 pm